Tauwhiro aropā rangatahi

Young Adults Peer Support

Te matū

Overview

The Peer Tree Community 

Looking for a space where you can connect, create and feel understood?

The Peer Tree is a peer-led community by Kites Trust for young adults aged 18-30 years old. These spaces are focused on mental wellbeing while also creating lasting skills with our community. Everything we do is designed and facilitated by peers with lived experience, creating safe, inclusive spaces where community, connection, and creativity can grow.

Come as you are, this is where you can belong.

Our Story: Born from a 2014 service-user forum, The Peer Tree has grown into a vibrant, user-led community. Over the years, it has built a safe, stigma-free environment, sparked peer leadership, strengthened whanaungatanga (connection), inspired volunteer involvement, and even created offshoot groups and friendships. Now this is a paid Peer Facilitator led initiative.

He whai hua ki ēnei

Who it’s best suited for

The Peer Tree spaces are designed for:

  • Young adult Tāngata Whai Ora aged 18–30 who want connection and community
  • People who enjoy engaging and participating in a collective space
  • Anyone keen to meet new people or make friends in a safe, welcoming environment
  • Young adults keen to follow group tikanga to help create a caring space for everyone.

Ngā hua

Benefits

Why Young Adults Peer Support?

Peer Support can make a real difference when things feel hard.

Here’s what you might experience:

  • Make friends
  • Try new things
  • Build and serve in your community
  • Have fun
  • Have something to look forward to
  • Connect with people your age who want to listen and share
  • Meet others who have experienced similar things
  • Increase hope
  • Reduce isolation
  • Express yourself through art and hands-on activities
  • Grow as a leader
  • Be part of a safe, stigma-free community
  • Strengthen whanaungatanga (connection)
  • Explore opportunities to volunteer or lead initiatives

Te tukanga

The process

Ngā pātai auau

Frequently asked questions

Monday’s Art Group meets 4:30-6pm at Toi Pōneke – 69 Abel Smith Street (in the Community Room). Friday’s Board Game Group meets 5-7pm at Te Tai Ohinga – 203 Willis Street

We currently run two peer-facilitated community groups, and they are open to anyone aged 18-30 years old.

The easiest way to connect with us is to show up to one of our Peer Tree groups! If you’ve got a bit of time, want to collaborate, or just have a question, you can also email us at hello@kites.org.nz and someone from our peer team will get back to you.